The Shrine

Address:  132 Shida Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan / 台北市中正區師大路132號

MRT: Taipower Building

Hours: Mon - Sun 10:00 - 02:00
            
A shrine is a special and sacred place of reverence holding objects of great importance, Shida Road's The Shrine is no exception, but it's objects of praise are vessels holding higher-power's greatest gift, booze. Does this Shrine deserve your pilgrimage?

A golden sign hanging on the black walled exterior of The Shrine beckons would-be-worshipers to enter.   The fortunate ones who do, will be hard-pressed to not widen their eyes at the array of golden relics and memorabilia that pepper the walls of this quaint bar and cafe.   Patio seating, which is hard to come by in Taipei, adds to the already impressive atmosphere of The Shrine.

Cocktail, craft beer, highballs and coffee choices are abundant and well priced to please any drinker.  In addition, the drinks are poured by an experienced staff, who can easily assist I recommending an ideal intoxicant. 

The Shine is an exceptional bar, not only for it's drink selection, but also for its unique and intriguing atmosphere.  The Shrine is a welcome addition to the resurgence of the Shida neighborhood's bar scene, and certainly worthy of your pilgrimage.


The Shrine on Facebook

Friendliness: 4 / 5

Ambiance: 5 / 5

Drink Selection: 3 / 3

Value: 3 / 3

Overall Impression: 4 / 4

Total: 19 / 20

A Damn Good Drinkery!

Something Ales: Cerveceria

Address: 台北市大安區師大路135巷38號 / No. 8, Lane 135, Shida Road, Da’an District
Taipei City

MRT: Taipower Building

Hours:  Mon - Sun: 20:00 - 2:00 (variable)

Back and better than ever in a new location, Something Ales is a beer bar for those who truly care about their beer.   With a name like "Something Ales", patron's should consider themselves warned, that no lagers are served here, only a selection of Taipei's finest imported and local ales.

Something ales is small but stylish bar with bar seating, making it easy to befriend fellow beer lovers.   The owner and barkeep, Arvin, is cheerful, knowledgeable, and happy to share his wealth of information about craft beer.   Due to the minimal size of the operation, prices are kept very reasonable; however, one can still expect to spend upwards of $200NT for premium imported craft beers.

Something Ales, is located in the Shida student/foreigner neighborhood and is just around the corner from the Taipower Building MRT station.    Discreet and nearly non-existent signage should not deter new patrons from checking out this great little beer bar.

Friendliness: 5 / 5

Ambiance: 3 / 5

Drink Selection: 3 / 3

Value:  3 / 3

Overall Impression: 4 / 4

Total: 18 / 20
A damn good drinkery!

James Joyce Irish Bar

Address: No.278, Section 3, Roosevelt Road Taipei, Taiwan / 台北市中正區羅斯福路3段278號

MRT: Gongguan

Hours: Mon-Fri: 4:30 - 2:30
             Sat-Sun:  3:00 - 2:30

From it's humble beginnings, nestled into a tight space in the Gongguan Night-market, James Joyce has expanded and upgraded to firmly solidify it's position as Taipei's official Irish bar.  Named for one of Ireland's most famed poets, novelists and heavy drinkers; James Joyce  Irish Bar brings the charm, ambiance, and liveliness of a genuine Dublin pub to Taiwan.

Originally founded in 2016, James Joyce Irish Bar has provided something that Taipei had long lacked in recent years, a bona-fide Irish pub. Now in a new, and much larger location, James Joyce continues to bring it's authentic Irish styling and, more importantly, hospitality to the busy student neighborhood of Gongguan. The bigger venue provides space for a stage and the bar has embraced it's new identity as a music venue by presenting live music every weekend!

The man, James Joyce, was known, not only for his drinking habits, but also his frivolity with money. Appropriately, James Joyce Irish Bar offers affordable prices on a nightly basis. At James Joyce you can get a proper pint of Guinness for just NT$250, and a bottle of locally brewed craft beer for just NT$190.  If that's still beyond your budget, a pint of 'Tai-Pi' (Taiwan Beer) is only NT$170NT.   In addition to beers, James Joyce has a range of cocktails, with their mint-loaded Mojito being particularly noteworthy.  For those looking for a pick-me-up while getting a little messed-up, the menu features a great selection of alcohol blended coffees.



In recent years, the Gongguan area has seen a welcomed resurgence of bars.  James Joyce Irish Bar, helps to ensure that this resurgence will not be short lived, as a high quality and fairly priced establishment that will surely be one of the area's most popular bars.  As James Joyce, himself, once said "The sacred pint alone can unbind the tongue..", so why not head down to the pub of his namesake to have a delicious, and sacred pint?

James Joyce's Website


Friendliness: 5 / 5

Ambiance: 4 / 5

Drink Selection: 2 / 3

Value: 3 / 3

Overall Impression: 4 / 4

Total: 18/ 20

A Damn Good Drinkery!

Beer to Go 啤酒土狗

Address:  No. 6-9, Xinsheng South Road Section 1, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan / 台北市中正區新生南路一段6-9號1樓

MRT: Zhongxiao Xinsheng

Hours: Sun - Mon: 17:00 - 0:00
             Tue: Closed
             Wed - Thu: 17:00 - 0:00
             Fri - Sat: 17:00 - 2:00

A four-legged friend that offers you delicious and cold craft beer may seem like a fantastical dream dog,  but Beer to Go, who's Chinese name (啤酒土狗) translates to "Beer Mutt", is no fantasy.

Located in the vicinity of Taipei's Guanghua Computer Market, Beer to Go brings great beer to both beer needs and computer nerds.  The bottle shop and bar  is also conveniently close to Zhongxiao-Xinsheng MRT station.

Beer to Go has an exceptional selection of local and imported craft beers in its 6 doors of refrigeration.   In addition to bottles and cans, two taps of draft craft are poured by the friendly and informative owners/staff.

Whether you're looking for a beer to go, or taking a seat and sipping, Beer to Go is definitely a good dog/bar. Let's hope Beer to Go is here to stay!

Beer To Go on Facebook

Friendliness: 5 / 5

Ambiance: 2 / 5

Drink Selection: 2 / 3

Value: 2 / 3

Overall Impression: 4 / 4

Total: 15 / 20

A Worthy Watering Hole!